Can-opener.



F. E. ROLLINS.

CAN OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1910. RENEWED 00:12. 9, 1911. 1,027,905,

Patented May 28, 1912.

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CAN-OPENER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E- RoLLINs, a citizen of the United 'States,-residing at M'attoon, in :the county of Shawano and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gan-Openers, of which the following is a-specification,

reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This inventionrelates to what are known as can openers which is an implement adapted to punch a hole in the end of a sealed sheet-metal can and to be retained in place and guided about the edge of the can as the tool is-forced to cut a slit in the can, and thereby enable the top to be opened. This invention has for its object to provide an improved can opener which is simple in construction, effective in operation, and can be manufactured cheaply, The invention consists in a can opener constructed and arranged as hereinafter set forth and claimed. 4

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of'a can opener constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof, and is a detail view in perspective of the cutting end of the can opener. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the ,blade'in cross section'on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. I,

In carrying out the invention, the canopener is formed from a single piece of wire bent to form a loop-shaped handle 1 and having one end thereof flattened to form a blade 2 having apair of cutting edges 3, tapering to a point 4, the rear end ofthe blade 2 is formed with shoulders .55. The portion of the wire forming'the handle ad jacent to the shouldered end ofthe blade is cut away as at 6 to form a flat surface tapering'down to and merging into the blade. The other endof the wire opposite to the blade end is twisted about. the wire adjacent to the shouldered portion of the blade in a single coil 6, which serves not only as a fulcrum which rests against the edge of the can in cutting the can, but also,

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 28, 1912. Application filed June 1910, Serial No. 565,053. Renewed October 9, 1911.

Serial No. 653,726.

against the coiled portions 6should there be any backward play through the coil 6 of the wire of the handle, the inclined portion 6 serving as a wedge to lock-the coil 6 in place. In order that the coil 6 resting on the edge of the can may move smoothly over the same, it has its up er and lower portion formed with the flat faces 7 to act as a fulcrum thereby preventin any tendency of the coil 6 toslip laterally on the edge ofthe can, as would be the case'if the oval surface of the coil was pressed against the edge of the can. I

It'wi1l be seen that by means of this invention a very simple and eflicient can opener is provided, the shape of the blade being such that it can be'readily punched through the tin, and with its two edges, either edge may be utilized.

Having described the invention, I claim:

A can opener comprising a single length of wire bent intermediate its ends to constitute a'bight portion, one, extremity of said wire being flattened .to constitute a lance like cutting blade having both edges sharpened, the remaining extremity being bent around the wire adjacent the first extremity to closely engage said Wire and prevent lateral movement of one extremity with respect to the other, said second extremity having the bent portion engaging the base of the blade and the portions of the wire between the bight and the extremities being substantially straight whereby displacement of one extremity along the other is prevented, said blade lying substantially in the plane of the bight whereby bending of the handle in use is resisted.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK E. ROLLIN S. Witnesses:

G. A. CAMERON, E. T. DARLING. 

